Devices, systems, and methods for reducing standby power consumption

ABSTRACT

A standby circuit includes a power regulator configured to operate in an ON state and an OFF state; a power detecting circuit configured to detect power of a load; an integrated circuit module including two interfaces, each of the two interfaces configured to receive an ON operating command or an OFF operating command from a remote control device; and a proximity detection circuit configured to determine a proximity of each of the two interfaces to the remote control device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/938,115, filed on Jul. 24, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,277,024, issuedon Mar. 15, 2022, which application is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, andmethods for reducing standby power consumption. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to devices, systems, and methods that allow anappliance or similar load to be completely turned OFF when not in use.

BACKGROUND

Electronic appliances, including by way of example televisions,monitors, portable air conditioning units, electric fans, and otherelectronic devices, are ubiquitous. Many appliances are provided with aremote control. The remote control communicates with the appliance viainfrared, Bluetooth, or another wireless communication protocol. Usingthe remote control, the appliances can be “turned ON and OFF”.

However, so that the appliance can detect and respond to an “ON” signalwhen in the “OFF” state, many remotely controllable appliances do notturn completely OFF (e.g., do not enter a state in which they aredrawing no electricity whatsoever). In other words, when such anappliance is “turned OFF,” the appliance enters a “STANDBY” mode, inwhich it continues to draw power—generally between 1 and 3 Watts.Although this power usage may be significantly lower than when thedevice is in an operating mode, and may have a negligible effect on theoverall power consumption of a single household, the combined effectacross a given area (e.g. a neighborhood, a city, a country) ofthousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of devices eachdrawing 1-3 Watts in the STANDBY mode is considerable.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/140,551, entitled “System and Devicefor Reducing Standby Power Consumption,” filed Dec. 26, 2013 and havinga priority date of Dec. 26, 2012, as well as U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/629,717, entitled “Standby Circuit, and Outlet, Plug, andDevice Having the Same,” filed Jun. 21, 2017 as a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/140,551, describe some systemsand devices for reducing standby power consumption.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,854,838 to Hara discloses a power supply control devicefor controlling a power supply that provides power to a load circuit.The power supply control device draws power from the power supply whenthe power supply is in an ON state (and providing power to the loadcircuit), and from a power storage unit when the power supply is in anOFF state (and not providing power to the load circuit). The controldevice intermittently turns on the power supply to recharge the powerstorage unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,944,086 to Hodges discloses an energy saving device thatdetermines when a load is in an OFF or inactive state and intermittentlycycles power to the load, such as for 400 milliseconds every 2 seconds.When power is cycled to the load, a determination is made as to whetherthe load is desired to be in the on state, in which case power to theload is maintained. If the load is not desired to be in the on state,then the cycling continues.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,765,416 to Zhou discloses a power supply control devicethat includes a signal induction circuit. When a STANDBY command isreceived via the signal induction circuit, the device turns OFF anassociated power supply. While the power supply is OFF, the signalinduction circuit is powered by a battery.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0201062 to Lee discloses adevice comprising multiple outlets and that detects power ON/OFF controldata sent by a remote control and corresponding to an electricalappliance plugged into one of the multiple outlets. When power OFFcontrol data is received, the device cuts OFF power to the electricalappliance, and when power ON control data is received, the devicerestores power to the electrical appliance (thus enabling the electricalappliance to operate in STAND-BY mode) and then sends the power-ONcontrol data to the electrical appliance to enable switching from theSTAND-BY mode to the operating mode.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0148591 to Lim discloses aplug for an electrical product having embedded therein a plug controlcircuit unit that selectively blocks power flow to the plug from anoutlet into which the plug has been inserted. The control circuit unitincludes a wireless unit for receiving wireless plug control signalsfrom a remote control. The remote control may be used to selectivelycontrol a plurality of plug control circuit units

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0322159 to DuBose disclosesa wall outlet that determines when a device connected thereto is an idleor standby mode and disengages the outlet from a power input.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,576 to Kahle discloses an electrical connectornetwork that comprises a control outlet and a slave outlet that isselectively connectable to the control outlet. The network includesadditional components that enable multiple electrical appliancesconnected to the network to be coordinately controlled, such that whenone appliance is turned ON, the other appliances turn on, and when oneappliance is turned OFF, the other appliances turn OFF.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes innovative devices, systems, andmethods for reducing standby power consumption. Implementation of thesedevices, systems, and methods can result in significant energy savings.

Example aspects of the present disclosure include:

A standby circuit, comprising: a power regulator configured to operatein an ON state and an OFF state; a power detecting circuit configured todetect power of a load; an integrated circuit module including twointerfaces, each of the two interfaces configured to receive an ONoperating command or an OFF operating command from a remote controldevice; and a proximity detection circuit configured to determine aproximity of each of the two interfaces to the remote control device,wherein the integrated circuit module determines a priority between thetwo interfaces based on the proximity of each of the two interfaces tothe remote control device, such that the integrated circuit modulereceives the ON operating command or the OFF operating command throughone of the two interfaces that is closer to the remote control devicethan the other of the two interfaces, and wherein the integrated circuitmodule determines an operating mode of the load according to the poweroutput by the power detecting circuit and outputs an OFF control signalto the power regulator to switch the power regulator into the OFF statein response to the power of the load being within a predetermined range.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein when the integrated circuit modulereceives the OFF operating command, the integrated circuit moduledetermines the operating mode of the load based on the power, whereinwhen the load is in the operating mode, the integrated circuit moduledelays a first predetermined period of time to output the OFF controlsignal to the power regulator, wherein when the load is in a STANDBYoperating mode, the integrated circuit module outputs the OFF controlsignal to the power regulator, and wherein when the integrated circuitmodule receives the ON operating command, the integrated circuit moduleoutputs an ON control signal to the power regulator and the powerregulator operates in the ON state.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein when the integrated circuit modulereceives the OFF operating command, the integrated circuit moduleoutputs the OFF control signal and operates in a SLEEP mode and whereinwhen the integrated circuit module receives the ON operating command,the integrated circuit outputs the ON control signal and operates in aWAKE-UP mode.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the integrated circuit module delaysa second predetermined period of time to determine whether the power ofthe load is larger than an upper bound of the predetermined range whenoutputting the ON control signal to the power regulator and when thepower of the load is less than the upper bound of the predeterminedrange, the integrated circuit module outputs a warning signal.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the proximity detection circuitincludes at least one of a radio proximity detection device, a globalpositioning satellite (GPS) proximity detection device, a cellulartriangulation proximity detection device, and a wireless triangulationproximity detection device.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein types of the remote control deviceinclude a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, asmart watch, smart glasses, a laptop computer, a notebook computer or acellular telephone.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the priority between the twointerfaces also includes comparing the types of the remote controldevice.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein one of the two interfaces connects aninternal receive module and the other of the two interfaces connects anexternal receive module.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the integrated circuit module furthercomprises a third interface, wherein the third interface is connected toan internal send module and wherein the integrated circuit module delayssending a signal through the third interface to a remote commanderoperating the load.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the load also receives the OFFoperating command from the remote control device.

Any of the aspects herein, further comprising a power source separatefrom a power source of the load used to provide power to the integratedcircuit module.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the standby circuit is provided alongan electrical wiring connected to the load.

A standby outlet, comprising: a connecting portion; and at least onesocket unit configured to be coupled to the connecting portion. The atleast one socket unit includes: a plurality of conductors; a socket; anda standby circuit. The standby circuit includes: a power regulatorconfigured to operate in an ON state and an OFF state; a power detectingcircuit configured to detect power of a load; an integrated circuitmodule including two interfaces, each of the two interfaces configuredto receive an ON operating command or an OFF operating command from aremote control device; and a proximity detection circuit configured todetermine a proximity of each of the two interfaces to the remotecontrol device, wherein the integrated circuit module determines apriority between the two interfaces based on the proximity of each ofthe two interfaces to the remote control device, such that theintegrated circuit module receives the ON operating command or the OFFoperating command through one of the two interfaces that is closer tothe remote control device than the other of the two interfaces, andwherein the integrated circuit module determines an operating mode ofthe load according to the power output by the power detecting circuitand outputs an OFF control signal to the power regulator to switch thepower regulator into the OFF state in response to the power of the loadbeing within a predetermined range.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the plurality of conductors arecoupled to the connecting portion, wherein the standby circuit isarranged between the connecting portion and the plurality of conductorsand wherein the power detecting circuit detects the power of the loadthrough the plurality of conductors.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the proximity detection circuitincludes at least one of a radio proximity detection device, a globalpositioning satellite (GPS) proximity detection device, a cellulartriangulation proximity detection device, and a wireless triangulationproximity detection device.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein types of the remote control deviceinclude a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, asmart watch, smart glasses, a laptop computer, a notebook computer or acellular telephone.

A standby plug, comprising: a plurality of terminals; and a standbycircuit. The standby circuit includes: a power regulator configured tooperate in an ON state and an OFF state; a power detecting circuitconfigured to detect power of a load; an integrated circuit moduleincluding two interfaces, each of the two interfaces configured toreceive an ON operating command or an OFF operating command from aremote control device; and a proximity detection circuit configured todetermine a proximity of each of the two interfaces to the remotecontrol device, wherein the integrated circuit module determines apriority between the two interfaces based on the proximity of each ofthe two interfaces to the remote control device, such that theintegrated circuit module receives the ON operating command or the OFFoperating command through one of the two interfaces that is closer tothe remote control device than the other of the two interfaces, andwherein the integrated circuit module determines an operating mode ofthe load according to the power output by the power detecting circuitand outputs an OFF control signal to the power regulator to switch thepower regulator into the OFF state in response to the power of the loadbeing within a predetermined range.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the plurality of terminals arecoupled between an alternating current (AC) power source and the loadand wherein the power detecting circuit detects the power of the loadthrough the plurality of terminals.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the plurality of conductors arecoupled to the connecting portion, wherein the standby circuit isarranged between the connection portion and the plurality of conductorsand wherein the power detecting circuit detects the power of the loadthrough the plurality of conductors.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the proximity detection circuitincludes at least one of a radio proximity detection device, a globalpositioning satellite (GPS) proximity detection device, a cellulartriangulation proximity detection device, and a wireless triangulationproximity detection device.

The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-endedexpressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. Forexample, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at leastone of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B,or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.When each one of A, B, and C in the above expressions refers to anelement, such as X, Y, and Z, or class of elements, such as X₁-X_(n),Y₁-Y_(m), and Z₁-Z_(o), the phrase is intended to refer to a singleelement selected from X, Y, and Z, a combination of elements selectedfrom the same class (e.g., X₁ and X₂) as well as a combination ofelements selected from two or more classes (e.g., Y₁ and Z_(o)).

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. Assuch, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can beused interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms“comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide anunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neitheran extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its variousaspects, embodiments, and configurations. It is intended neither toidentify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate thescope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of thedisclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detaileddescription presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects,embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure are possibleutilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features setforth above or described in detail below.

Numerous additional features and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration ofthe embodiment descriptions provided hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of thespecification to illustrate several examples of the present disclosure.These drawings, together with the description, explain the principles ofthe disclosure. The drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternativeexamples of how the disclosure can be made and used and are not to beconstrued as limiting the disclosure to only the illustrated anddescribed examples. Further features and advantages will become apparentfrom the following, more detailed, description of the various aspects,embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure, as illustrated by thedrawings referenced below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a standby circuit according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a circuit diagram of a standby circuit system according toembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is another circuit diagram of a standby circuit system accordingto additional embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a circuit diagram of a hybrid integrated circuit(HIC) module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a standby outlet according to embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a standby plug and a load to be coupled tothe standby plug according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B illustrates a circuit block diagram of the standby plug coupledto the load according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another method according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangement of components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Thedisclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or ofbeing carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. Further, the present disclosure may useexamples to illustrate one or more aspects thereof. Unless explicitlystated otherwise, the use or listing of one or more examples (which maybe denoted by “for example,” “by way of example,” “e.g.,” “such as,” orsimilar language) is not intended to and does not limit the scope of thepresent disclosure.

The use of “substantially” in the present disclosure, when referring toa measurable quantity (e.g., a diameter or other distance) and used forpurposes of comparison, is intended to mean within 5% of the comparativequantity. The terms “substantially similar to,” “substantially the sameas,” and “substantially equal to,” as used herein, should be interpretedas if explicitly reciting and encompassing the special case in which theitems of comparison are “similar to,” “the same as” and “equal to,”respectively.

FIG. 1 illustrates a standby circuit 100 according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The standby circuit 100 comprises a thick filmhybrid integrated circuit (HIC) module 104, a power regulator 108, aninfrared receive module (IRM) 112, and an infrared send module (ISM)116. The standby circuit 100 is operably connected to an externalinfrared receive module 120 as well. The standby circuit 100 isconnected to an AC In line 124, and controls power flow through an ACOut line 128 that is in turn connected to a load (not shown in FIG. 1 ).The load may be, for example, a television, a monitor, a projector, anair conditioning unit, an audio system, an electronic fan, a remotelycontrolled light, a printer, a copier, or any other electrical applianceor electronic device that may be switched ON and OFF and/or that iscontrolled by a remote control 190.

The HIC module 104 comprises an AC-DC converter 132, a voltage regulator136, a gate circuit 140, and a microcontroller unit (MCU) 144. In someembodiments, the HIC module 104 may be an integrated circuit other thana thick film hybrid integrated circuit.

The AC-DC converter 132 receives incoming alternating current (AC) powerfrom the AC In line 124, converts the AC power to direct current (DC)power, and transmits the DC power to the voltage regulator 136. TheAC-DC converter 132 may be or comprise a rectifier circuit and/or apower isolation circuit. The AC-DC converter 132 is connected directlyto the AC In line 124 rather than the AC Out line 128, the AC-DCconverter 132 beneficially powers the HIC module 104 even when the powerregulator 108 is in an open or OFF position.

The voltage regulator 136 receives DC power from the AC-DC converter132, corrects any undesirable voltage fluctuations, and provides astabilized voltage to the gate circuit 140 and the MCU 144. The voltageregulator 136 thus protects the gate circuit 140 and the MCU 144 againstover voltage, under voltage, and other voltage surges. The voltageregulator 136 may be or comprise a voltage stabilizer circuit, a linearregulator, and/or a switching regulator. The voltage regulator 136 maybe implemented as an integrated circuit. The voltage regulator 136 maycomprise one or more transistors and/or one or more operationalamplifiers.

The gate circuit 140 receives DC power from the voltage regulator 136and control signals from the MCU 144. The gate circuit 140 acts as aswitch control component that, based on a control signal received fromthe MCU 144, triggers switching of the power regulator 108 from an ON orclosed state to an OFF or open state, or vice versa. In someembodiments, the gate circuit 140 may be a zero-cross optoisolatorTRIAC.

The MCU 144 evaluates information received from the IRM 112 and/or theexternal IRM 120 and, based on the results of that evaluation, transmitscontrol signals to the gate circuit 140 that cause the gate circuit 140to switch the power regulator 108 from an ON or closed position to anOFF or open position, or vice versa. The MCU 144 also controls the ISM116.

For example, if the standby circuit 100 is configured to control powerflow to a television, then while the television is ON, the MCU 144 mayreceive, via either or both of the IRM 112 and the external IRM 120, anOFF signal from a remote control 190 operated by a user of thetelevision, indicating that the user wishes to turn OFF the television.The television may or may not also receive the OFF signal from theremote control 190. If the television does receive the signal, thetelevision may switch from an ON state to a STANDBY state, in which thetelevision is still consuming several watts of power. Regardless, uponreceipt of the OFF signal, the MCU 144 may send a control signal to thegate circuit 140 that, in turn, causes the gate circuit 140 to switchthe power regulator 108 from an ON or closed position to an OFF or openposition, thus cutting off the flow of power to the television. If thetelevision was still in the ON state, cutting off power to thetelevision has the effect of turning OFF the television, such that thetelevision consumes no power. If the television had already switchedfrom an ON state to a STANDBY state, then cutting off the flow of powerto the television again has the effect of completely turning OFF thetelevision, such that the television consumes no power.

As another example, if the television is already in an OFF state, theMCU 144 may receive, via the IRM 112 and/or the external IRM 120, an ONsignal from a remote control 190 operated by a user of the television,indicating that the user wishes to turn ON the television. Because nopower is flowing to the television, the television's receiver is notoperational and does not receive the ON signal from the remote control190. However, the MCU 144, upon receipt of the ON signal, sends acorresponding signal to the gate circuit 140, which in turn sends asignal to the power regulator 108 that causes the power regulator toswitch from an OFF or open position to an ON or closed position. Thisrestores the flow of power to the television, which may by defaulteither turn ON or enter a STANDBY mode. If the MCU 144 determines thatthe television has entered the STANDBY mode (by measuring, for example,the flow of power through the power regulator 108), then the MCU 144 maycause the ISM 116 to transmit a replica of the ON signal previouslyreceived via the IRM 112 and/or the external IRM 120. In someembodiments, the MCU 144 may cause the ISM 116 to transmit a replica ofthe ON signal automatically, without first determining whether thetelevision has entered the STANDBY mode. Because the television receiveris now powered, the television receives the “ON” signal transmitted bythe ISM 116, and switches from the STANDBY mode to an operating mode (ifnot already in the operating mode).

The foregoing example illustrates one possible use case of the standbycircuit 100. Importantly, the standby circuit 100 may be used with manyelectrical or electronic appliances other than a television. Moreover,in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the specific manner inwhich the standby circuit 100 operates may differ from one use case toanother.

Although described as an infrared receiver, the IRM 112 may beconfigured to receive remote control signals sent via one or more otherwireless communication protocols, including, for example, RadioFrequency (RF), Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE), GSM, LTE, Near Field Communication (NFC), and/or ultrasound. Theexternal IRM 120 may be the same as or similar to the IRM 112, exceptthat while the IRM 112 may be provided within a housing of or otherwisepositioned adjacent to the MCU 144 and/or other components of thestandby circuit 100, the external IRM 120 may be provided with aseparate housing and may be located at a distance from the standbycircuit 100. The external IRM 120 may, for example, be positioned invarious locations within a predetermined distance from the standbycircuit 100, so as to allow a user of the standby circuit 100 toposition the external IRM 120 in a location where the external IRM 120will be able to receive remote control signals that the IRM 112, byvirtue of its location, may not be able to receive. For example, in someembodiments, the standby circuit 100 may be positioned along a cord ofan electrical appliance, which may be located behind the appliance andout of sight. Such positioning may prevent the IRM 112 from receivingline-of-sight based control signals from a remote control 190. However,the external IRM 120 may be positioned adjacent to the electricalappliance (and, in some embodiments, adjacent to a built-in receiver ofthe electrical appliance), so as to be able to receive remote controlsignals directed at the electrical appliance. The external IRM 120 is inelectrical communication with the MCU 144, whether via a wire, cable, orotherwise, so that data corresponding to remote control signals receivedby the external IRM 120 can be sent to the MCU 144.

The IRM 112 and the external IRM 120 may be used in connection with aproximity detection device 180. The proximity detection device 180 maybe located within or adjacent to the standby circuit 100 and is used todetermine the location of the remote control 190 with respect to the IRM112 and the external IRM 120. According to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the proximity detection device 180 includes at least one ofa radio proximity detection device, a global positioning satellite (GPS)proximity detection device, a cellular triangulation proximity detectiondevice, and a wireless triangulation proximity detection device. Theremote control 190 may be or include, but is not limited to devices suchas smartphones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, smartwatches, smart glasses, laptop computers, notebook computers, cellulartelephones, and the like.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, priority is givento either the IRM 112 or the external IRM 120 based on the location ofthe IRM 112 to the remote control 190 or the location of the externalIRM 120 to the remote control 190. For example, in some embodiments, ifthe remote control 190 is closer to the IRM 112 than the external IRM120 based on an output from the proximity detection device 180, then theIRM 112 has priority over the external IRM 120 and the IRM 112 receivesthe control signal from the remote control 190. According to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure, priority is given to either theIRM 112 or the external IRM 120 based on the type of remote control 190being used. For example, in some embodiments, if the remote control 190is a smartphone, the IRM 112 has priority over any other type of controldevice and if the remote control 190 is a tablet computer, the externalIRM 120 has priority over any other type of control device. Each of thedifferent types of remote control devices and the corresponding IRMs areregistered in memory of the standby circuit 100 beforehand. According tofurther embodiments of the present disclosure, priority is given toeither the IRM 112 or the external IRM 120 based on the location and thetype of control device being used. For example, if the IRM 112 has asmartphone registered as having priority over any other type of remotecontrol device and has a predetermined distance threshold of about 10feet from the remote control device, then the IRM 112 will only havepriority over the external IRM 120 if both of the conditions are met.For example, the IRM 112 will only have priority over the external IRM120 if the smartphone is used and the smartphone is located within 10feet of the IRM 112. Alternatively, if the smartphone is not within thepredetermined distance threshold of about 10 feet of the IRM 112, butwithin a predetermined threshold distance of the external IRM 120, thenthe external IRM 120 may be used.

The power regulator 108 may be, for example, a silicon controlledrectifier (SCR) switch. The power regulator 108 receives AC power viathe AC In line 124 and outputs AC power via the AC Out line 128. Thepower regulator 108 may be or comprise any electronically controllableswitch suitable for selectively permitting the flow of AC powertherethrough. As described above, the power regulator 108 is controlledby the gate circuit 140, which in turn is controlled by the MCU 144.

Turning now to FIG. 2A, a system 201 according to another embodiment ofthe present disclosure comprises a standby circuit 200 and a load 264.The standby circuit 200 may be provided in its own housing (not shown)but configured to be in electrical communication with a separatelyhoused load 264, or the standby circuit 200 may be incorporated into ashared housing with the load 264. As previously described, the load 264may be, for example, a television, an air conditioner, an electric fan,a refrigerator, a washing machine, or audio electronics. The standbycircuit 200 may comprise an HIC module 204, a power regulator 208, anIRM 212, a DC power source 248, and a power detecting circuit 256.

The HIC module 204 may comprise one or more features of, and may be thesame as or similar to, the HIC module 104 of the standby circuit 100.The HIC module 204 comprises pins 1 through 13. Pin 1 is connected to awire or trace 228 of an AC power source (not shown). Pin 8 and pin 9 ofthe HIC module 204 (the eighth pin and the ninth pin of the HIC module204) are connected to a switch 252, which may be used to reset the HICmodule 204. The switch 252 may be an ON/OFF switch that allows a user toturn the HIC module 204 OFF and ON. Alternatively, the switch 252 may beconfigured to cause the HIC module 204 to reset in a manner that doesnot involve being turned OFF and ON. A user may flip, press or otherwiseactivate the switch 252 if the standby circuit 200 is not responding asexpected, whether due to a malfunction of the HIC module 204 orotherwise.

The connections involving the other pins of the HIC module 204 aredescribed in greater detail in connection with the discussion of othercomponents of the standby circuit 200 below.

The power regulator 208 may be the same as or similar to the powerregulator 108. The power regulator 208 may be switchable between an “ON”state and an “OFF” state, to connect or disconnect, respectively, theload 264 to the AC power source. The power regulator 208 may be orcomprise a bi-directional silicon controlled rectifier (BSCR) 238, suchas a triode for alternating current (TRIAC). The BSCR 238 may be, insome embodiments, an AC solid state switch with only ON and OFFpositions. In some embodiments, an AC relay may be used instead of theBSCR 238. A first anode 222 of the BSCR 238 and a second anode 226 ofthe BSCR 238 are connected to the wire 224 from the AC power source. Acontrol gate 230 of the BSCR 238 is connected to pin 3 of the HIC module204 (the third pin of the HIC module 204) to control an “ON” state or an“OFF” state. If the BSCR 238 receives an “OFF” control signal from theHIC module 204, the BSCR 238 is switched to the “OFF” state. If the BSCR238 receives an “ON” control signal from the HIC module 204, the BSCR238 is switched to the “ON” state, so that the AC power source is ableto provide power to the load 264.

The power regulator 208 may also comprise a resistor-capacitor (RC)circuit 210. The RC circuit 210 is used to filter a signal by blockingcertain frequencies and passing others. More specifically, the RCcircuit 210 is an RC absorption loop connected in parallel between twosides of the BSCR 238 to realize overvoltage protection of the BSCR 238.The RC circuit 210, then, acts as a voltage regulator. In someembodiments, the RC circuit 210 may be replaced by a bi-directionaltransient-voltage-suppression diode, or by another voltage regulatorcircuit. The RC circuit 210 includes a resistor 214 and a capacitor 218.The resistor 214 is in series with the capacitor 218, and the RC circuit210 is in parallel with the first anode 222 of the BSCR 238 and thesecond anode 226 of the BSCR 238. The resistor 214 is connected to pin 2of the HIC module 204 (the second pin of the HIC module 204) and thecapacitor 218 is connected to pin 4 of the HIC module 204 (the fourthpin of the HIC module 204). In some embodiments, the power regulator 208does not comprise an RC circuit 210 or other voltage regulator circuit.

The IRM 212 may be the same as or similar to the IRM 112. The IRM 212 isconnected to pins 5, 6, and 7 of the HIC module 204 (the fifth, sixth,and seventh pins of the HIC module 204). The standby circuit 200receives infrared signals from a user-operated remote control 190 viathe IRM 212. When the load 264 is in a powered OFF state (such that theload 264 is unable to detect or respond to infrared signals from auser-operated remote control 190), such signals may nevertheless bereceived by the standby circuit 200 via the IRM 212, in response towhich the HIC module 204 may send an “ON” signal via pin 3 of the HICmodule 204 to the control gate 230, so as to cause the BSCR 210 topermit electricity to flow to the load 264. Alternatively, when the load264 is in a powered ON state, the standby circuit 200 may receive an“OFF” command from a user-operated remote control 190, in response towhich the HIC module 204 may send an “OFF” signal via pin 3 of the HICmodule 204 to the control gate 230, so as to cause the BSCR 238 to stopthe flow of electricity to the load 264.

The IRM 212 may be replaced by a receiver module adapted to detectcontrol signals sent by any communication protocol that corresponds tothe communication protocol used to remotely control the load 264. Insome embodiments, a single receiver module may be configured to detectsignals from a plurality of communication protocols. In otherembodiments, the standby circuit 200 may comprise a plurality ofreceiver modules, each configured to detect control signals sent via oneor more different communication protocols. Also, although not shown inFIG. 2A, in some embodiments, the standby circuit 200 may be connectedto an external IRM identical or similar to the IRM 120, whether insteadof or in addition to comprising the IRM 212.

The standby circuit 200 may also comprise a circuit protection device234. The circuit protection device 234 may be a fuse, a circuit breaker,or other automatic disconnection of supply device. The protection device234 of the standby circuit 200 is positioned along the AC power sourceline 228, such that if too much current flows through the line 228, theprotection device 234 will function to break the connection of thestandby circuit 200 to the AC power supply, thus stopping the flow ofelectricity therethrough.

The direct current (DC) power source 248 is operatively connected topins 10 and 11 of the HIC module 204 (the tenth and eleventh pins of theHIC module 204), and may act as a primary or as an alternative powersource to the HIC module 204. Thus, for example, if the HIC module 204ceases to receive power through the first pin (i.e., pin 1) thereof(whether because the circuit protection device 234 has been activated,or because the BSCR 238 is in an OFF position, or simply is notconfigured to receive power through the first pin thereof), the HICmodule 204 can continue to operate using power received from the DCpower source 248. The ability of the HIC module 204 to continueoperating without or even when the flow of power from the AC powersupply is interrupted beneficially enables the standby circuit 200 todetect (via the IRM 212) “ON” control signals transmitted by auser-operated remote control 190 and restore the flow of AC power to theload 264 by switching the BSCR 238 from the “OFF” position to the “ON”position. As a result, even when the load 264 is completely turned OFF(and thus conserving power), the remote control 190 can still be used toturn ON the load 264, via the standby circuit 200. Moreover, as long asthe HIC module 204 draws less power from the DC power source 248 thanthe amount of power drawn by a standby circuit of the load 264, thestandby circuit 200 facilitates a net power savings.

The DC power source 248 may be, for example, a battery power source, acapacitor power source, or any other DC power source. The DC powersource 248 may be rechargeable and/or replaceable.

The standby circuit 200 also includes a power detecting circuit 256,which may include a current transformer 260. The power detecting circuit256 may be coupled between the power regulator 208 and the load 264. Aprimary coil of the current transformer 260 may be connected to the load264, and a secondary coil of the current transformer 260 may beconnected to the pin 12 and pin 13 of the HIC module 204 (the twelfthand thirteenth pins of the HIC module 204). Therefore, when the currenttransformer 260 is connected via the wire 224 to an AC power source, thesecondary coil of the current transformer 260 may generate an outputcurrent through pin 12 and pin 13 of the HIC module 204 (the twelfth pinand the thirteenth pin of the HIC module 204) to the HIC module 204.

In some embodiments, the power detecting circuit 256 may be or comprisea Hall current sensor, which may be used to detect and/or measure anoperating current of the load 264, and to provide a signal correspondingto the measured operating current to the HIC module 204.

Based on the output current of the power detecting circuit 256, the HICmodule 204 determines a mode of the load 264 (e.g., a STANDBY mode or anoperating mode). For example, if the load 264 is in STANDBY mode, thenthe output current generated by the power detecting circuit 256 will beunderneath a predetermined threshold. If the load 264 is in an operatingmode, however, then the output current generated by the power detectingcircuit 256 will be above a predetermined threshold. By comparing theoutput current generated by the power detecting circuit 256 to one ormore predetermined thresholds, the HIC module 204 can determine whetherthe load 264 is in an operating mode or a STANDBY mode.

In some embodiments, the HIC module 204 receives the output current ofthe secondary coil of the current transformer 260, and obtains an inputvoltage from the AC power source (not shown) via the wire 224 or 228which is the reference voltage. With this information, the HIC module204 calculates the power of the load 264, which information the HICmodule 204 uses to determine whether the load 264 is in the operatingmode or the STANDBY mode. If the power of the load 264 is within apredetermined standby range (i.e., 1˜3 W), the HIC module 204 determinesthat the load 264 is in the STANDBY mode. If the power of the load 264is larger than the upper bound (i.e., 3 W) of the predetermined standbyrange, the HIC module 204 may determine that the load 264 is in theoperating mode.

The HIC module 204 controls a mode of the power regulator 208 (e.g.,switches the power regulator 208 from an “ON” state to an “OFF” state orvice versa) based on whether the load 264 is in the STANDBY mode or theoperating mode. For example, the HIC module 204 causes the powerregulator 208 to switch into an “OFF” state when the load 264 is in theSTANDBY mode, thus cutting off AC power to the load 264 and reducingpower consumption.

In some embodiments, then, if the power consumption of the load 264 (ascalculated by the HIC module 204, based on information from the powerdetecting circuit 256) is within the predetermined standby range (wherethe predetermined standby range is less than a predetermined operatingrange of the load 264), the HIC module 204 outputs an “OFF” controlsignal to the power regulator 208 to control the power regulator 208into the “OFF” state. As a result, the total power consumption of theload 264 decreases from approximately 1 to 3 W to 0 W, while the standbycircuit 200 consumes less than, for example, 0.1 W. Power consumption,therefore, is reduced.

In some embodiments, the HIC module 204 may receive at least one commandregarding a desired power mode of the load 264 from a remote control 190operated by a user, such as a “turn ON” command or a “turn OFF” command.Notably, when the load 264 is in an “OFF” state (and therefore unable torecognize or respond to a remote control signal), the IRM 212 is stillable to receive a remote control signal (e.g., a “turn ON” command),such that the power state of the load 264 can still be adjusted evenwhen the load 264 itself is disconnected from any power and/or switchedcompletely OFF. On the other hand, when the load 264 is in an “ON”state, both the load 264 and the HIC module 204 (via the IRM 212) mayreceive remote control signals. The HIC module 204, may, however, beconfigured to ignore (or to not detect, or to not respond to) remotecontrol signals other than signals corresponding to “turn ON,” “turnOFF,” and any other power-related commands.

Also, the HIC module 204 may receive the at least one command from theuser via other types of communication interfaces, such as a Wi-Fi,ZigBee, Bluetooth, LGE, LTE, GSM, NFC, optical, RF, or othercommunication interface. Such other types of communication interfacesmay be built into the HIC module 204 or separate from but in electricalcommunication with the HIC module 204.

As a more specific example of the operation of the standby circuit 200according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, after receivinga “turn OFF” command from the user (e.g., via a wireless remote control190), the HIC module 204 determines whether the load 264 is in the “OFF”state according to the output power of the power detecting circuit 256.That is, the power detecting circuit 256 determines whether the power ofthe load 264 is in a predetermined standby range, such as withinapproximately 1-3 W (indicating that the load 264 is in a STANDBY mode).

If the power of the load 264 is larger than the upper bound of thepredetermined range (indicating that the load 264 is powered ON and inan operating mode), the HIC module 204 may delay a first predeterminedlength of time before outputting an “OFF” control signal to the powerregulator 208, which signal causes the power regulator 208 to switchinto the “OFF” state (and thus stops the flow of AC current to the load264 altogether). Waiting the first predetermined length of time to sendthe “OFF” control signal to the power regulator 208 allows time for theload 264, which also received the “turn OFF” command via its own remotecontrol signal receiver, to switch into the STANDBY mode in responsethereto before the power regulator 208 cuts all power to the load 264.

Conversely, after receiving a “turn ON” command from the user (e.g., viaa wireless remote control 190)—which command is not also received by theload 264, because the load 264 is in an OFF state—the HIC module 204outputs an “ON” control signal to the power regulator 208, whichswitches to an “ON” state and thus restores the flow of AC current fromthe AC power source to the load 264. With its power supply restored, theload 264 switches to the operating mode.

In addition, after receiving the “turn ON” command, the HIC module 204may receive, a second predetermined length of time after the powerregulator 208 is switched to the “ON” position, a signal correspondingto the detected current being supplied to the load 264. Based upon thissignal, the HIC module 204 may determine whether the power of the load264 is larger than the upper bound of the predetermined standby range.

If the power of the load 264 is larger than the upper bound of thepredetermined standby range, then the load 264 is in a normal state ofthe operating mode. If the power of the load 264 is within thepredetermined range, then the load 264 is in an abnormal state of theoperating mode. If the load 264 is in the abnormal state of theoperating mode, the HIC module 204 outputs a warning signal according tothe abnormal state. The warning signal may cause an LED associated withthe standby circuit 200 to flash or otherwise illuminate, and/or maycause a speaker associated with the standby circuit 200 to generate abeep or other audible sound, and/or may cause an error message to beshown on an LCD or other display associated with the standby circuit200.

Notably, the HIC module 204, the power detecting circuit 256, and thepower regulator 208 may be installed in and/or connected to anyappliance or other load 264, including any of the appliances identifiedherein.

With reference now to FIG. 2B, a standby circuit system 250 according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a standby circuit254 and a load 264. The standby circuit 254 comprises many of the sameor similar components as the standby circuit 200 of FIG. 2A, includingan HIC module 204, a power regulator 208, an IRM 212, and a powerdetecting circuit 256. The standby circuit 254 also comprises an LED 206and an ISM 216. The load 264 may be the same as or substantially similarto the load 264 in the embodiment of FIG. 2A. The standby circuit 254may be provided in its own housing (not shown) or may be incorporatedinto the housing of a standby device.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, pins 10 and 11 of the HIC module 204 (thetenth and eleventh pins of the HIC module 204), instead of beingconnected to a DC power source, are connected to one or more LEDs 206.The HIC module 204 may control the one or more LEDs 206 to emit a firstcolor of light (e.g., green) when the standby circuit 254 and/or theload 264 are operating normally, and to emit a second color of light(e.g., red) when the standby circuit 254 and/or the load 264 areoperating abnormally. Abnormal operation may include, for example, whenthe load 264 is expected to be in an operating mode but is instead in aSTANDBY mode; when the load 264 is expected to be in a STANDBY mode butis instead in an operating mode; and when the HIC module 204 freezes orotherwise encounters an internal fault or error that prevents continuedoperation as described herein. In some embodiments, the one or more LEDs206 may emit only a single color of light, but may emit a steady streamof light when the standby circuit system 250 is operating normally and aflashing light when the standby circuit system 250 is operatingabnormally. In yet other embodiments, the one or more LEDs 206 may beconfigured to change one or more of a flashing sequence, a color, anintensity, or any other characteristic based on a change in theoperating status of the HIC module 204, and/or of the load 264, and/orof the standby circuit 254.

The HIC module 204 of the embodiment of FIG. 2B comprises threeadditional pins—pins 14, 15, and 16—than the HIC module 204 of theembodiment of FIG. 2A. These additional pins (the fourteenth, fifteenth,and sixteenth pins of the HIC module 204) are operatively connected toan ISM 216. As with the ISM 116, the ISM 216 may be used to transmit areplica of an “ON” signal received via the IRM 212, after the powerregulator 208 has restored power to the load 264, so that the load 264can receive the “ON” signal and switch from a STANDBY state to anoperating state.

The HIC module 204 may be used to control the state of the powerregulator 208 (e.g., to cause the power regulator 208 to switch betweenthe “ON” state and the “OFF” state) based on the mode of the load 264(e.g., whether the load 264 is in the STANDBY mode or the operatingmode). For example, the HIC module 204 can control the power regulator208 to be in the OFF state when the load 264 is in the STANDBY mode, soas to turn OFF the power from the AC power source to the load 264,thereby reducing the power consumption of the load 264 to zero.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, as in the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the IRM212 may be replaced by a receiver module adapted to detect controlsignals sent by any communication protocol that corresponds to thecommunication protocol used to remotely control the load 264. In someembodiments, a single receiver module may be configured to detectsignals from a plurality of communication protocols. In otherembodiments, the standby circuit 254 may comprise a plurality ofreceiver modules, each configured to detect control signals sent via oneor more different communication protocols. Also, although not shown inFIG. 2A, in some embodiments, the standby circuit 254 may be connectedto an external IRM identical or similar to the IRM 120, whether insteadof or in addition to comprising the IRM 212.

Except as described above, the operation of the standby circuit 254 maybe the same as or substantially similar to that of the standby circuit200.

FIG. 3 illustrates a circuit diagram of a hybrid integrated circuit(HIC) module 304 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.The HIC module 304 may be, for example, a thick film HIC module whichmay comprise one or more features of and may be the same as or similarto the HIC module 104 illustrated in FIG. 1 or the HIC module 204illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The HIC module 304 includes an AC-DCconverter 332, a voltage regulator 336, a gate circuit 340, and amicrocontroller unit (MCU) 344, as well as other active and passivecomponents described below.

The HIC module 304 comprises pins 1 through 16 for connection to variouscomponents, such as the components provided and described in FIGS. 1, 2Aand 2B. For example, pins 1 and 2 (the first and second pins of the HICmodule 304) may be provided for connection to an AC power source. Asillustrated, a first terminal and a second terminal of the AC-DCconverter 332 are coupled to the pin 1 and pin 2 of the HIC module 304,respectively, to be coupled to a live line and a neutral line,respectively, of an AC power source. The AC-DC converter 332 converts ACpower to DC power and transmits the DC power to the voltage regulator336. The voltage regulator 336 performs a voltage stabilizationoperation on the DC power. The voltage regulator 336 outputs astabilized DC power to the gate circuit 340 and to the MCU 344, toprovide power for the gate circuit 340 and the MCU 344.

Pins 3 and 4 of the HIC module 304 (the third pin and the fourth pin ofthe HIC module 304) may be provided for connection to an RC circuit of apower regulator such as RC circuit 210 and power regulator 208illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Pins 5, 6, and 7 of the HIC module 304(the fifth, sixth, and seventh pins of the HIC module 304) are providedfor connection to an external component such as an IRM (e.g., the IRM212 illustrated in FIG. 2 ). Pins 8 and pin 9 of the HIC module 304 (theeighth pin and the ninth pin of the HIC module 304) are provided forconnection to a switch (such as the switch 252 illustrated in FIG. 2 )which may be used to reset the HIC module 304. Pins 10 and 11 of the HICmodule 304 (the tenth pin and eleventh pin of the HIC module 304) areprovided for connection to one or more LEDs such as the one or more LEDs206 illustrated in FIG. 2 . Pins 12 and 13 of the HIC module 304 (thetwelfth pin and thirteenth pin of the HIC module 304) are provided forconnection to the output of a transformer such as the output oftransformer 260 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Pins 14, 15 and 16 ofHIC module 304 (the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth pins of HICmodule 304) are provided for connection to an IRM such as the IRM 212illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The MCU 344 is a specially programmed controller able to control theoperations (e.g., switching actions) of each of the circuit componentsof the HIC module 304 through the use of stored programs, such that whenthe programs are executed, the MCU 344 can perform functions, includingfor example, arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output operationsspecified by the programs. The MCU 344 comprises one or more features ofand may be the same as or similar to the MCU 144 illustrated in FIG. 1 .In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the MCU 344includes fourteen pins (pins 21 through 34). Pins 21, 22, and pin 23 ofthe MCU 344 (the first, second and third pins of the MCU 344) areconnected to pins 5, 6 and 7, respectively, of the HIC module 304. TheMCU 344 can receive a signal through a first interface comprising pins5, 6 and 7 of the HIC module 304. For example, the MCU 344 can receive asignal from an IRM such as IRM 112 illustrated in FIG. 1 or IRM 212illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B connected to pins 5, 6 and 7 of the HICmodule 304.

Pin 24 and pin 25 of the MCU 344 (the fourth and fifth pins of the MCU344) are connected to pin 8 and pin 9, respectively, of the HIC module304, so as to reset the MCU 344 through a switch such as switch 252illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Pin 26 of the MCU 344 (the sixth pin ofthe MCU 344) is connected to pin 10 of the HIC module 304 via a resistor364, and pin 34 of the MCU 344 (the fourteenth pin of the MCU 344) isconnected to pin 11 of the HIC module 304. With this arrangement, pin 26of the MCU 344 is provided to be couple to an external component such asthe anode of an LED (e.g., the one or more LEDs 206 illustrated in FIG.2B) and pin 34 of the MCU 344 is provided to be coupled to the cathodeof the same LED(s).

Pin 27 of the MCU 344 (the seventh pin of the MCU 344) is connected topin 12 of the HIC module 304 through a diode 368 and a resistor 360, andis also coupled to the pin 13 of the HIC module 304 through the resistor368 and a capacitor 372. In at least one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, pin 27 of the MCU 344 is coupled to a first terminal of theresistor 360, a second terminal of the resistor 360 is coupled to acathode of the diode 368, and an anode of the diode 368 is coupled tothe pin 12 of the HIC module 304. The capacitor 372 is coupled between anode of the resistor 360 and the diode 368, and pin 13 of the HIC module304, to receive the output current of a transformer such as transformer260 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The joint effect between theresistors 360 and 364, the diode 368 and the capacitor 372 is used totake the data from the control device (e.g., the TV) while the controldevice is in an operating mode or a STANDBY mode and convert the datainto a direct current voltage that is input into the MCU 344 to causethe MCU 344 to perform calculations while protecting the internalcomponents of the MCU 344 from large voltages supplied as inputs to theMCU 344. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, theresistors 360 and 364, the diode 368 and the capacitor 372 may beconfigured to produce a regulating input on the input pins 26 and 27.Alternatively, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, theresistors 360 and 364 operate as protection mechanisms in the form ofcurrent limiting resistors. The resistors 360 and 364 are sized so thatthe voltage drops across them does not affect the voltage at the MCU344. According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, thecapacitor 372 in conjunction with the resistor 360 operate as aprotection mechanism in the form of a low pass filter used to filter asignal by blocking certain frequencies and passing other frequencies.According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the diode368 in conjunction with the resistor 360 and the capacitor 372 operateas a further protection mechanism for the MCU 344. Pin 28 of the MCU 344(the eighth pin of the MCU 344) is connected to the voltage regulator336, to output an operational signal from the MCU 344 to the voltageregulator 336. For example, when an operating mode of the MCU 344switches from a SLEEP mode (e.g., no power to the device and the deviceis OFF) to a WAKE-UP mode, the MCU 344 outputs a first operationalsignal to the voltage regulator 336 through pin 28 of the MCU 344. Thevoltage regulator 336 performs a voltage stabilizing operation based onthe first operational signal provided by the MCU 344. When the operatingmode of the MCU 344 switches from the WAKE-UP mode to the SLEEP mode,the MCU 344 outputs a second operational signal to the voltage regulator336 through pin 28 of the MCU 344. The voltage regulator 336 outputs aSLEEP signal to the MCU 344, to put the load in the SLEEP mode. In atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure, the voltage regulator336 outputs the SLEEP signal to the MCU 344 through the pin 30 of theMCU 344 (the tenth pin of the MCU 344).

Pin 29 of the MCU 344 (the ninth pin of the MCU 344) is connected to thegate circuit 340 to provide a control signal to the gate circuit 340.The gate circuit 340 is connected to pin 3 and pin 4 of the HIC module304. The gate circuit 340 is a switch control component that triggersthe mode of a component coupled to the HIC module 304 at pins 3 and 4,such as a power regulator for example. The power regulator 108illustrated in FIG. 1 and the power regulator 208 illustrated in FIGS.2A and 2B operate based on a trigger signal, such as an ON command or anOFF command, provided by the gate circuit 340. Pins 31, 32 and 33 of theMCU 344 (the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth pins of the MCU 344) arecoupled to the pins 14, 15 and 16, respectively, of the HIC module 304to transmit replica commands (e.g., copies of commands generated by userinteraction with a remote control 190) through a component such as anISM (e.g., the ISM 216 of FIG. 2 ).

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the MCU 344 itselfcan operate in several modes, including but not limited to a SLEEP modeor a WAKE-UP mode, such that the HIC module 304 can operate in differentmodes according to the operating mode of the MCU 344. As an example,after receiving an OFF command from a remote control 190, the MCU 344controls the BSCR 238 to the OFF state, and the MCU 344 can switch tothe SLEEP mode, so the HIC module 304 can also enter into the SLEEPmode. Accordingly, the MCU 344 can reduce its power consumption andfurther reduce the standby power consumption since the MCU 344 onlydraws about 0.5 W of power while in the SLEEP mode.

After receiving an ON command from a remote control 190, the MCU 344switches to the WAKE-UP mode from the SLEEP mode, which causes the HICmodule 304 to switch from the SLEEP mode to a WAKE-UP mode. The HICmodule 304 can further control the BSCR 238 to be in an on state. Hence,AC power is allowed to flow to the load 264, which in turn can revert toan operating mode.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, after receiving anON command through pin 21 to pin 23 of the MCU 344, the MCU 344 switchesfrom the SLEEP mode to the WAKE-UP mode. When the MCU 344 switches tothe WAKE-UP mode, the MCU 344 outputs a first operation signal to thevoltage regulator 336. At that point, the voltage regulator receives thefirst operation signal, and outputs the stabilized DC power to the MCU344, to provide a start-up current to the MCU 344 and the gate circuit340.

The start-up current can continue for a period of time, for example,from 1 to at least 10 milliseconds. The MCU 344 can provide the controlsignal to the gate circuit 340 through pin 29 of the MCU 344, whichcauses the power regulator (e.g., the power regulator 108 of FIG. 1 , orthe power regulator 208 of FIG. 2A or 2B) to be in the ON state. Oncethe power regulator switches to the ON state, the load (e.g., the load264) receives power from the AC power source and switches to theoperating mode.

In some embodiments, the HIC module 304 and a corresponding powerregulator (together with other components of the standby circuitsdescribed herein) may be installed inside the appliances.

FIG. 4 illustrates a standby outlet 454 according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The standby outlet 454 includes a connectingportion 400 and at least one outlet unit 404. The connecting portion 400is coupled to an AC power source as well as to each of the outlet units404 to provide power to each of the outlet units 404.

Each outlet unit 404 comprises a standby circuit 408, at least oneconductor 412, and at least one socket 416. The conductor 412 of each ofthe outlet units 404 is coupled to the connecting portion 400. Thestandby circuit 408 is arranged between the connecting portion 400 and acorresponding conductor 412. An electronic appliance 464 is coupled tothe conductor 412 of a corresponding outlet unit 404 (e.g., by insertinga plug of the appliance 464 (not shown) into the socket 416), so thatthe electronic appliance 464 can receive operating power. In at leastone embodiment of the present disclosure, the standby circuit 408performs the same or similar functions to those of the standby circuit100 illustrated in FIG. 1 , standby circuit 200 illustrated in FIG. 2Aand/or the standby circuit 254 illustrated in FIG. 2B.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the connectingportion 400 of the standby outlet 454 is coupled to each outlet unit 404through a wire. The connecting portion 400 and the outlet units 404 canbe arranged in a housing or a shell, which forms a power adapter. Theelectronic appliance 464 can be plugged into the power adapter (and,more specifically, into a socket 416 of the power adapter).

FIG. 5A is a block diagram of a standby plug 504 and a load (e.g., anappliance) 564 to be coupled to the standby plug 504 and FIG. 5Billustrates circuit block diagram of the standby plug 504 detachablycoupled to the standby plug 504 according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The standby plug 504 comprises a standby circuit554, a plurality of terminals 508 and a plurality of sockets 512 toreceive terminals provided by the load 564. In at least one embodimentof the present disclosure, the standby circuit 554 performs the same orsimilar functions to those of the standby circuit 100 illustrated inFIG. 1 , standby circuit 200 illustrated in FIG. 2A or the standbycircuit 254 illustrated in FIG. 2B.

The plurality of terminals 508 are arranged in a manner that correspondsto a standard electrical socket. Standard electrical sockets may havevarious forms, including for example a two-receptacle type or athree-receptacle type. According to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the two-receptacle type can comprise a live line terminaland a neutral line terminal. According to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the three-receptacle type can comprise a live lineterminal, a neutral line, and a ground line terminal. The terminals 508of the standby plug 504 are in electronic communication with the load564, whether through a wire connection or otherwise.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for reducing standby powerconsumption 600 according to at least some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. As illustrated in this figure, process 600 starts at block604. At block 608, a standby circuit (such as the standby circuit 100illustrated in FIG. 1 , the standby circuit 200 illustrated in FIG. 2Aor the standby circuit 254 illustrated in FIG. 2B) including amicrocontroller unit (MCU) (such as the MCU 144 illustrated in FIG. 1 orthe MCU 344 illustrated in FIG. 3 ) receives an “ON” command via aninfrared receive module (such as the IRM 112 or the external IRM 120illustrated in FIG. 1 or IRM 212 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B) from aremote control 190, for example. At block 612, a WAKE-UP command is sentfrom the standby circuit/MCU to a voltage regulator (such as the voltageregulator 136 illustrated in FIG. 1 or the voltage regulator 336illustrated in FIG. 3 ). At block 616, a gate circuit of the standbycircuit/MCU (such as the gate circuit 140 illustrated in FIG. 1 or thegate circuit 340 illustrated in FIG. 3 ) sends an “ON” command to apower regulator (such as the power regulator 108 illustrated in FIG. 1or the power regulator 208 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B). At block620, the standby circuit/MCU transmits an “ON” command via an infraredsend module (such as the ISM 116 illustrated in FIG. 1 or the ISM 216illustrated in FIG. 2B) to a load (such as the load 264 illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B). At block 624, the power detecting circuit of thestandby circuit/MCU detects the power usage of the load. For example, apower detecting circuit such as the power detecting circuit 256illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B detects the amount of power utilized bythe load 264. At block 628, the standby circuit/MCU sends a SLEEPcommand to the voltage regulator. After the standby circuit/MCU sends aSLEEP command to the voltage regulator at block 628, process 600 ends atblock 632.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary process 700 forreducing standby power consumption according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. As illustrated in this example, process 700 startsat block 704. At block 708, a standby circuit (such as the standbycircuit 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 , the standby circuit 200 illustratedin FIG. 2A or the standby circuit 254 illustrated in FIG. 2B) includinga microcontroller unit (MCU) (such as the MCU 144 illustrated in FIG. 1or the MCU 344 illustrated in FIG. 3 ), receives an “OFF” command via aninfrared receive module (such as the IRM 112 or the external IRM 120illustrated in FIG. 1 , or the IRM 212 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B)from a remote control 190, for example. At block 712, the powerdetecting circuit of the standby circuit/MCU detects the power usage ofa load (such as the load 264 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B). Forexample, the power detecting circuit 256 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2Bdetects the amount of power utilized by the load 264. At block 716, thegate circuit of the standby circuit/MCU (such as the gate circuit 140illustrated in FIG. 1 or the gate circuit 340 illustrated in FIG. 3 )sends an “OFF” command to the power regulator (e.g., the power regulator108 illustrated in FIG. 1 or the power regulator 208 illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B). At block 720, a SLEEP command is sent from the standbycircuit/MCU to a voltage regulator (such as the voltage regulator 136illustrated in FIG. 1 or the voltage regulator 336 illustrated in FIG. 3), to enable the standby circuit/MCU to enter a SLEEP mode. After thestandby circuit/MCU transmits the SLEEP command at block 720, theprocess 700 ends at block 724.

Standby circuits according to embodiments of the present disclosure maybe configured as stand-alone units for use with existingelectric/electronic appliances, and/or may be configured to be includedwithin newly built electric/electronic appliances. In some embodiments,a standby plug as described herein may be retrofitted to anelectric/electronic appliance that does not comprise a standby circuitas described herein. Also, in some embodiments, an electric/electronicappliance that does not comprise a standby circuit as described hereinmay be plugged into a standby outlet as described herein.

A number of variations and modifications of the foregoing disclosure canbe used. It would be possible to provide for some features of thedisclosure without providing others.

Although the present disclosure describes components and functionsimplemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations withreference to particular standards and protocols, the aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations are not limited to such standards andprotocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned hereinare in existence and are considered to be included in the presentdisclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein andother similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein areperiodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents included in thepresent disclosure.

The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/orapparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, includingvarious aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments,subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art willunderstand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments,and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. Thepresent disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absenceof items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence ofsuch items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g.,for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost ofimplementation.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosureto the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing DetailedDescription, for example, various features of the disclosure are groupedtogether in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations forthe purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined inalternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than thosediscussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claims require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a singleforegoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, thefollowing claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodimentof the disclosure.

Moreover, though the description has included description of one or moreaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations andmodifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications arewithin the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill andknowledge of those in the art, after understanding the presentdisclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternativeaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted,including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures,functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not suchalternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publiclydedicate any patentable subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A standby circuit, comprising: a power regulatorconfigured to operate in an ON state and an OFF state; a power detectingcircuit configured to detect power of a load; an integrated circuitmodule including at least one interface configured to receive an ONoperating command or an OFF operating command from a remote controldevice; and wherein when the integrated circuit module receives the OFFoperating command, the integrated circuit module determines an operatingmode of the load based on the power, wherein when the load is in theoperating mode, the integrated circuit module delays a firstpredetermined period of time to output an OFF control signal to thepower regulator and the power regulator operates in the OFF state,wherein when the load is in a STANDBY operating mode, the integratedcircuit module outputs the OFF control signal to the power regulator andthe power regular operates in the OFF state, and wherein when theintegrated circuit module receives the ON operating command, theintegrated circuit module outputs an ON control signal to the powerregulator and the power regulator operates in the ON state.
 2. Thestandby circuit according to claim 1, wherein when the integratedcircuit module outputs the OFF control signal the integrated circuitmodule operates in a SLEEP mode, and wherein when the integrated circuitmodule receives the ON operating command the integrated circuit operatesin a WAKE-UP mode.
 3. The standby circuit according to claim 1, whereinthe integrated circuit module delays a second predetermined period oftime to determine whether the power of the load is larger than an upperbound of a predetermined range when outputting the ON control signal tothe power regulator and when the power of the load is less than theupper bound of the predetermined range, the integrated circuit moduleoutputs a warning signal.
 4. The standby circuit according to claim 1,wherein the at least one interface comprises two interfaces, and whereinthe standby circuit further comprises: a proximity detection circuitconfigured to determine a proximity of each of the two interfaces to theremote control device, wherein the integrated circuit module determinesa priority between the two interfaces based on the proximity of each ofthe two interfaces to the remote control device, such that theintegrated circuit module receives the ON operating command or the OFFoperating command through one of the two interfaces that is closer tothe remote control device than the other of the two interfaces.
 5. Thestandby circuit according to claim 4, wherein a first interface of thetwo interfaces is integrated with the standby circuit and a secondinterface of the two interfaces is external to the standby circuit. 6.The standby circuit according to claim 4, wherein a second interface ofthe two interfaces is positioned a distance away from the standbycircuit.
 7. The standby circuit according to claim 4, wherein theproximity detection circuit includes at least one of a radio proximitydetection device, a global positioning satellite (GPS) proximitydetection device, a cellular triangulation proximity detection device,and a wireless triangulation proximity detection device.
 8. The standbycircuit according to claim 1, wherein the remote control devicecomprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personaldigital assistant, a smart watch, smart glasses, a laptop computer, anotebook computer or a cellular telephone.
 9. The standby circuitaccording to claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit module comprises athick film hybrid integrated circuit.
 10. The standby circuit accordingto claim 1, wherein the load also receives the OFF operating commandfrom the remote control device.
 11. The standby circuit according toclaim 1, further comprising a power source separate from a power sourceof the load used to provide power to the integrated circuit module. 12.The standby circuit according to claim 1, wherein the standby circuit isprovided along an electrical wiring connected to the load.
 13. A standbyoutlet, comprising: a connecting portion; and at least one socket unitconfigured to be coupled to the connecting portion, wherein the at leastone socket unit includes: a plurality of conductors; a socket; and astandby circuit including: a power regulator configured to operate in anON state and an OFF state; a power detecting circuit configured todetect power of a load; an integrated circuit module including at leastone interface configured to receive an ON operating command or an OFFoperating command from a remote control device; and wherein when theintegrated circuit module receives the OFF operating command, theintegrated circuit module determines an operating mode of the load basedon the power, wherein when the load is in the operating mode, theintegrated circuit module delays a first predetermined period of time tooutput an OFF control signal to the power regulator and the powerregulator operates in the OFF state, wherein when the load is in aSTANDBY operating mode, the integrated circuit module outputs the OFFcontrol signal to the power regulator and the power regular operates inthe OFF state, and wherein when the integrated circuit module receivesthe ON operating command, the integrated circuit module outputs an ONcontrol signal to the power regulator and the power regulator operatesin the ON state.
 14. The standby outlet according to claim 13, whereinthe plurality of conductors are coupled to the connecting portion,wherein the standby circuit is arranged between the connecting portionand the plurality of conductors and wherein the power detecting circuitdetects the power of the load through the plurality of conductors. 15.The standby outlet according to claim 13, wherein the at least oneinterface comprises two interfaces, and wherein the standby circuitfurther comprises: a proximity detection circuit configured to determinea proximity of each of the two interfaces to the remote control device,wherein the integrated circuit module determines a priority between thetwo interfaces based on the proximity of each of the two interfaces tothe remote control device, such that the integrated circuit modulereceives the ON operating command or the OFF operating command throughone of the two interfaces that is closer to the remote control devicethan the other of the two interfaces.
 16. The standby outlet accordingto claim 13, wherein the remote control device comprises at least one ofa smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a smartwatch, smart glasses, a laptop computer, a notebook computer or acellular telephone.
 17. A standby plug, comprising: a plurality ofterminals; and a standby circuit including: a power regulator configuredto operate in an ON state and an OFF state; a power detecting circuitconfigured to detect power of a load; an integrated circuit moduleincluding at least one interface configured to receive an ON operatingcommand or an OFF operating command from a remote control device; andwherein when the integrated circuit module receives the OFF operatingcommand, the integrated circuit module determines an operating mode ofthe load based on the power, wherein when the load is in the operatingmode, the integrated circuit module delays a first predetermined periodof time to output an OFF control signal to the power regulator and thepower regulator operates in the OFF state, wherein when the load is in aSTANDBY operating mode, the integrated circuit module outputs the OFFcontrol signal to the power regulator and the power regular operates inthe OFF state, and wherein when the integrated circuit module receivesthe ON operating command, the integrated circuit module outputs an ONcontrol signal to the power regulator and the power regulator operatesin the ON state.
 18. The standby plug according to claim 17, wherein theplurality of terminals are coupled between an alternating current (AC)power source and the load and wherein the power detecting circuitdetects the power of the load through the plurality of terminals. 19.The standby plug according to claim 17, wherein a plurality ofconductors are coupled to a connecting portion, wherein the standbycircuit is arranged between the connecting portion and the plurality ofconductors and wherein the power detecting circuit detects the power ofthe load through the plurality of conductors.
 20. The standby plugaccording to claim 17, wherein the at least one interface comprises twointerfaces, and wherein the standby circuit further comprises: aproximity detection circuit configured to determine a proximity of eachof the two interfaces to the remote control device, wherein theintegrated circuit module determines a priority between the twointerfaces based on the proximity of each of the two interfaces to theremote control device, such that the integrated circuit module receivesthe ON operating command or the OFF operating command through one of thetwo interfaces that is closer to the remote control device than theother of the two interfaces.